Serotoninergic system and circadian rhythms of ACTH and corticosterone in rats

1980 ◽  
Vol 239 (6) ◽  
pp. E482-E489 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Szafarczyk ◽  
G. Alonso ◽  
G. Ixart ◽  
F. Malaval ◽  
J. Nouguier-Soule ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Locomotor Activity ◽  
Circadian Rhythms ◽  
Activity Rhythm ◽  
Female Rats ◽  
Serotoninergic System ◽  
Suprachiasmatic Nuclei ◽  
Circadian Control ◽  
Midbrain Raphe Nuclei ◽  
Phase Activity

The circadian rhythms of plasma ACTH and corticosterone and of locomotor activity were explored in chronically cannulated female rats, after elimination of serotoninergic (5HT) innervation of the SCN (suprachiasmatic nuclei) either by stereotaxic lesion of the median and dorsal midbrain raphe nuclei (RX) or by local injection of SCN with the neurotoxin 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine (5,7DHT). Completeness of 5HT denervation was checked on serial sections of the hypothalamus either by the Falk-Hillarp technique or by radioautography. Neither lesion eliminated the intrahypothalamic 5HT system, which, however does not take part in the 5HT innervation of the SCN. In both experimental series, the circadian rhythms of the three parameters investigated were maintained in unchanged phase relationships compared to the sham-lesioned controls, and with respect to the photoperiod (12 light-12 dark). However, the estimated amplitudes of the ACTH rhythms dropped by 43% (RX) to 47% (5,7DHT) and their mean levels by 44% (RX) to 60% (5,7DHT), whereas the corticosterone rhythm displayed normal amplitude and its mean level rose by 24% (RX) or 38% (5,7DHT). In regard to locomotor activity rhythm, the most noticeable alteration was a 25–55% increase in the light-phase activity of both experimental groups with a correlative increase in the L/D activity ratio. The essential role of 5HT innervation of the SCN therefore seems to be to facilitate circadian control of the ACTH rhythm.

EFFECTS OF LESIONS OF THE SUPRACHIASMATIC NUCLEI AND OF p-CHLOROPHENYLALANINE ON THE CIRCADIAN RHYTHMS OF ADRENOCORTICOTROPHIC HORMONE AND CORTICOSTERONE IN THE PLASMA, AND ON LOCOMOTOR ACTIVITY OF RATS

1979 ◽  
Vol 83 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. SZAFARCZYK ◽  
G. IXART ◽  
F. MALAVAL ◽  
J. NOUGUIER-SOULÉ ◽  
I. ASSENMACHER
Keyword(s):  
Locomotor Activity ◽  
Female Rats ◽  
Serotoninergic System ◽  
Suprachiasmatic Nuclei ◽  
Plasma Acth ◽  
Corticosterone Concentration ◽  
Periodicity Analysis ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Free Running ◽  
Minimal Concentration

SUMMARY Adrenocorticotrophin (ACTH) and corticosterone in the plasma of adult female rats were measured sequentially at 4 h intervals for 24 h before and after lesions of the suprachiasmatic nuclei or treatment with p-chlorophenylalanine (to inhibit serotonin synthesis). After lesions or p-chlorophenylalanine treatment, the concentrations of ACTH were diminished relative to those in control animals and rhythmic changes could not be detected. However, injection of animals, pretreated with p-chlorophenylalanine, with 5-hydroxytryptophan (60 mg/kg) 8 h before the time when plasma ACTH is maximal in intact animals, stimulated ACTH secretion up to control values. Mean corticosterone concentrations in plasma remained unchanged (after lesions) or increased (after p-chlorophenylalanine). This increase was associated with an increased minimal concentration of corticosterone. After both treatments there was evidence of continued circadian or ultradian rhythms of corticosterone concentration. Locomotor activity of female rats given identical treatment, but without blood sampling, indicated that nocturnal activity was diminished after lesions whereas diurnal activity was enhanced after p-chlorophenylalanine treatment. Periodicity analysis detected the persistence of free-running circadian, and sometimes ultradian activity, rhythms. Adrenalectomy did not alter further the activity pattern observed in rats with lesions. These results therefore support the proposition that both the suprachiasmatic nuclei and the serotoninergic system play an irreplaceable role in the mechanism of ACTH secretory rhythms. The suprachiasmatic nuclei are also important for synchronization of locomotor activity and corticosterone rhythms, which may both persist after the suppression of ACTH rhythms.

Splitting of the locomotor activity rhythm in rats by exposure to continuous light

1983 ◽  
Vol 244 (4) ◽  
pp. R573-R576 ◽  
Author(s):  
Phyllis W. Cheung ◽  
Charles E. McCormack
Keyword(s):  
Locomotor Activity ◽  
Estrous Cycle ◽  
Activity Rhythm ◽  
Continuous Light ◽  
Female Rats ◽  
Locomotor Rhythm ◽  
Estrous Cycles ◽  
Locomotor Activity Rhythm ◽  
Active Portion ◽  
Free Running

Female rats exposed to low intensities (0.1–1.5 lx) of continuous light (LL), displayed regular estrous cycles and free-running circadian rhythms of locomotor activity. In most rats, as the intensity of LL was increased to >2.0 lx, components within the active portion (α) of the locomotor rhythm remained synchronized as the periodicity of the rhythm lengthened. However, in a few rats agr split into two components; one of which free-ran with a period shorter than 24 h, while the other free-ran with a period longer than 24 h. As soon as the two components became maximally separated they spontaneously rejoined. In most rats, estrous cycles ceased shortly after the intensity of LL was increased to >2.0 lx even though the locomotor activity rhythm retained its unsplit free-running nature. These observations suggest that the multiple oscillators that control the rhythms of locomotor activity and the estrous cycle are normally coupled to one another. In certain intensities of LL, these oscillators uncouple and free-run with different periodicities, a condition which causes estrous cycles to cease and sometimes produces a split locomotor activity rhythm. circadian rhythm; oscillators; estrous cycle Submitted on November 9, 1981 Accepted on October 11, 1982

scholarly journals Short Neuropeptide F regulates the starvation mediated enhanced locomotor Activity in Drosophila

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Geo ◽  
Himani Pathak ◽  
Anamika Elizabeth Kujur ◽  
Sreesha R Sudhakar ◽  
Nisha N Kannan
Keyword(s):  
Locomotor Activity ◽  
Circadian Clock ◽  
Internal Energy ◽  
Nutrient Availability ◽  
Activity Rhythm ◽  
Transcript Level ◽  
Constant Darkness ◽  
Starvation Resistance ◽  
Neuropeptide F

AbstractThe circadian clock regulates various behavioral, metabolic and physiological processes to occur at the most suitable time of the day. Internal energy stores and nutrient availability modulates the most apparent circadian clock mediated locmotor activity rhythm in Drosophila. Although previous studies unraveled the role of circadian clock in metabolism and activity rest rhythm, the precise pathway through which the circadian neuropeptidergic signaling regulates internal energy storage and the starvation-mediated increase in activity resembling foraging remains largely unclear. This study was aimed to elucidate the role of circadian neuropeptide, short neuropeptide F (sNPF) in triglyceride metabolism, starvation resistance and starvation-mediated increased locomotor activity in Drosophila. The results showed that snpf transcripts exhibits significant rhythmicity in wild type flies under 12:12 hour light-dark cycles (LD) and constant darkness (DD) whereas snpf transcript level in period null flies did not exhibit any significant rhythmicity under LD. Knockdown of sNPF in circadian clock neurons reduced the triglyceride level, starvation resistance and increased the starvation-mediated hyperactivity response after 24 hour of starvation. Further studies showed that knock down of sNPF receptors (sNPFR) expressed in insulin producing cells (IPC) increased the starvation resistance and reduced starvation-induced hyperactivity response after 24 hour of starvation. Collectively, our results suggest that transcriptional oscillation of snpf mRNA is endogenously controlled by the circadian clock and elucidate the role of sNPF in modulating locomotor activity in accordance with the nutrient availability in Drosophila.

Role of suprachiasmatic nuclei in circadian and light-entrained behavioral rhythms of lizards

2000 ◽  
Vol 279 (6) ◽  
pp. R2121-R2131 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cristiano Bertolucci ◽  
Valeria Anna Sovrano ◽  
Maria Chiara Magnone ◽  
Augusto Foà
Keyword(s):  
Circadian Rhythms ◽  
Constant Temperature ◽  
Locomotor Behavior ◽  
Functional Similarity ◽  
Daily Rhythm ◽  
Constant Darkness ◽  
Suprachiasmatic Nuclei ◽  
Podarcis Sicula ◽  
Behavioral Rhythms

To establish whether the suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN) of the Ruin lizard ( Podarcis sicula) play a role in entrainment of circadian rhythms to light, we examined the effects of exposure to 24-h light-dark (LD) cycles on the locomotor behavior of lizards with SCN lesions. Lizards became arrhythmic in response to complete SCN lesion under constant temperature and constant darkness (DD), and they remained arrhythmic after exposure to LD cycles. Remnants of SCN tissue in other lesioned lizards were sufficient to warrant entrainment to LD cycles. Hence, the SCN of Ruin lizards are essential both to maintain locomotor rhythmicity and to mediate entrainment of these rhythms to light. We also asked whether light causes expression of Fos-like immunoreactivity (Fos-LI) in the SCN. Under LD cycles, the SCN express a daily rhythm in Fos-LI. Because Fos-LI is undetectable in DD, the rhythm seen in LD cycles is caused by light. We further showed that unilateral SCN lesions in DD induce dramatic period changes. Altogether, the present data support the existence of a strong functional similarity between the SCN of lizards and the SCN of mammals.

Suprachiasmatic nuclei influence circannual and circadian rhythms of ground squirrels

1983 ◽  
Vol 244 (4) ◽  
pp. R472-R480 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. Zucker ◽  
M. Boshes ◽  
J. Dark
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Locomotor Activity ◽  
Circadian Rhythms ◽  
Reproductive Cycle ◽  
Ground Squirrels ◽  
Circadian Activity ◽  
Suprachiasmatic Nuclei ◽  
Medial Basal Hypothalamus ◽  
Circadian Organization ◽  
Activity Cycles

Golden-mantled ground squirrels, maintained under constant conditions of photoperiod and temperature sustained lesions of the suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN) or of the medial basal hypothalamus. Destruction of the SCN eliminated or disrupted circadian activity rhythms and shortened the period of the circannual reproductive cycle. Circannual body weight cycles were eliminated or disrupted in several SCN-lesioned animals and one squirrel had a 3- to 5-mo body weight rhythm; however, most SCN-lesioned squirrels with disrupted circadian activity cycles manifested normal circannual body weight rhythms. The SCN are important for circadian organization of locomotor activity of this diurnal rodent, but the generation and expression of circannual body weight and reproductive rhythms can proceed in the absence of coherent circadian organization. The SCN are less essential for the generation and expression of circannual than of circadian cycles

Adaptation of circadian rhythmicity to shift in light-dark cycle accelerated by a benzodiazepine

1987 ◽  
Vol 253 (1) ◽  
pp. R204-R207 ◽  
Author(s):  
O. van Reeth ◽  
F. W. Turek
Keyword(s):  
Locomotor Activity ◽  
Circadian Rhythms ◽  
Abrupt Change ◽  
Single Injection ◽  
Activity Rhythm ◽  
Circadian Rhythmicity ◽  
Dark Cycle ◽  
Short Acting ◽  
Locomotor Activity Rhythm ◽  
Human Circadian Rhythms

The light-dark cycle is the major synchronizing agent for circadian rhythms in animals. After an abrupt shift in the light-dark cycle, it usually takes many days for circadian rhythms to resynchronize. A single injection of the short-acting benzodiazepine, triazolam, to hamsters subjected to an 8-h advance of the light-dark cycle resulted in an approximately 50% reduction in the time taken for the circadian locomotor activity rhythm to be resynchronized to the new lighting schedule. These results suggest that it may be possible to use drugs to facilitate the resynchronization of human circadian rhythms following an abrupt change in environmental time.

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